Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is a 1. 25-mile pedestrian path running along the south bank of the main branch of the Chicago River, from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. Completed in 2016, it transformed what was once a neglected service corridor into one of the most pleasant urban walking experiences in the country.

For families, it is a free outdoor activity that puts you below street level, right next to the water, surrounded by some of the most impressive architecture in the world.

The Riverwalk sits one level below the street, accessed by staircases at every block. This below-grade design gives it a cozy, sheltered feel — you are walking at water level while the noise and traffic of downtown Chicago hum above you. Kids immediately notice the perspective shift.

The buildings tower overhead from this angle, the river is right there (no barriers in some sections), and boats of all sizes pass continuously.

The walkway is divided into distinct sections, each with a different character. The Marina section at the east end has boat docks. The Cove section has Urban Kayaks, where families can rent tandem kayaks and paddle along the river — one of the most memorable activities available in downtown Chicago.

The River Theater has stepped seating that descends to the water, perfect for sitting and watching the boat traffic. The Jetty has floating wetland gardens and educational signage about river ecology. The Boardwalk section at the west end has restaurants and bars.

For kids, the constant boat traffic is the main entertainment. Water taxis shuttle commuters and tourists up and down the river. Architecture tour boats cruise past with their megaphone guides audible from the walkway.

Kayakers paddle by. And periodically, the iconic Chicago drawbridges lift to let tall-masted sailboats pass through — a mechanical spectacle that stops everyone in their tracks. The bridges are double-leaf bascule bridges (they split in the middle and rise on both sides), and watching them operate is endlessly fascinating for kids.

The kayak rental option is worth highlighting. Urban Kayaks at the Cove rents single and tandem kayaks by the hour. Tandem kayaks work for a parent with a child ages 5-6 and up. Paddling through the canyon of skyscrapers, under bridges, and past tour boats is a perspective on Chicago that you cannot get any other way. Book online in advance on summer weekends.

If a full kayak rental is not in the budget, the water taxi is a brilliant alternative. At $6 per ride ($3 for kids ages 1-11, free under 1), the water taxi runs between multiple stops along the river. A one-way ride gives kids the boat-on-the-river experience for a fraction of the cost of a tour. Take it from Michigan Avenue to Chinatown for a combined river ride and neighborhood exploration.

The Riverwalk is seasonal. The walkway is open year-round, but vendors, restaurants, and kayak rentals operate from approximately May through October. Summer is peak season — the path is busy but not uncomfortably so, and the energy is part of the experience.